The Howson Branch Library in Austin recently transformed into a vibrant hub for creativity, as it hosted the Film Strip Club, an event that invites participants to explore the art of direct animation using 16-millimeter film. On a recent Monday evening, the meeting room buzzed with energy as attendees gathered around tables, eager to manipulate film stock and create new artistic expressions.
“You don’t need any special background or training to participate,” noted Jennifer Quarles, a long-time member of the club. “It’s just an hour and a half where everyone creates together and makes something new.”
The Film Strip Club meets once a month and is free of charge, providing a unique opportunity for people to engage in direct animation. Participants use various techniques such as drawing, painting, and scratching to transform existing film into fresh artistic pieces.
“I don’t know much about film, and I’ve never intentionally altered film as an art form,” shared Megan Rosales, another enthusiastic club member. “It’s really fun and somewhat challenging to work without a specific plan and just go for it.”
Each session kicks off with a screening of the previous month’s creations projected on a 16-millimeter film projector. Participants also receive digital copies of their animations to take home.
Justin Green, the assistant manager at the Howson Branch, spearheads the Film Strip Club in partnership with the Texas Archive of the Moving Image (TAMI). A film enthusiast himself, Green co-founded the program with TAMI’s digitization lab manager, Victoria Perez, after discovering their shared passion for direct animation at a friend’s birthday celebration.
The library provides art supplies and some film, while TAMI offers access to specialized skills and equipment at no cost, in addition to digitizing the members’ films.
“We aimed to create a space where anyone could explore this art form without any barriers, completely free and open to the public,” Green explained. “We supply the materials and the 16-millimeter projector, while TAMI has the expertise to digitize films professionally, which would be quite costly elsewhere.”
Funded by the Texas Film Commission, TAMI travels across Texas to digitize tapes and videos at no charge. “We had many educational films and PSA reels that were being phased out, so we started off using those materials,” Perez added.
Since its inaugural meeting in October 2024, the club has seen an impressive turnout, with over 60 attendees participating in the August session alone. Green attributes its success to the in-person interaction it fosters.
“Direct animation encourages social connections,” he remarked. “Working alongside strangers on film requires focus but also opens up opportunities for conversation.”
While new faces frequently join, many attendees return each month. Some, like Quarles, have even contributed to expanding the materials and techniques used in the club.
“We’ve experimented with different markers and tape that adhere to the film’s surface, and the library has started incorporating some of those materials,” she said.
Additionally, the club has sparked interest in analog film preservation among its members, with some even securing internships at TAMI.
“Interestingly, people are developing a fascination with archival work through the act of altering film—defacing, drawing, painting, and cutting it up,” Green noted.
He hopes that the analog techniques showcased in the Film Strip Club will continue to thrive. “Many tools used in this filmmaking style are becoming outdated, and we want to ensure that these techniques remain accessible and affordable,” he explained.
Perez recently stepped back from her role, passing responsibilities to TAMI intern Paige Applin. “I didn’t want to see Film Strip Club disappear,” Applin said. “It’s a fantastic space for people to share their passion for film and create something tangible. There aren’t many other free spaces in town for this kind of collaboration.”
Green also intends to pass on his duties someday, ensuring a successor is ready to lead the club. “People come and go, but I want Film Strip Club to endure,” he expressed. “While we can’t solve all of life’s challenges at the library, we can offer a resource that provides exciting and invigorating activities with minimal barriers to entry.”
